Bromsgrove Birding

The days are a bit longer, the weather is a bit milder, celandines are starting to poke their heads through the soil and the birds are singing. Spring must be round the corner!

For many wildlife-lovers, the arrival of spring is heralded by birdsong. It might sound beautiful to us but the birds are essentially yelling at each other –‘this is my patch’, ‘oi, get out of my tree’. ‘hey lovely ladies, look how brilliant I am’. Whether a robin in your garden or a lapwing on a wetland, birds have calls and moves to attract a mate and proclaim their territory.

This is all happening now at Upton Warren Wetland Reserve, between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. The nature reserve, one of the best places to watch birds in the area, is split into two. The Flashes, accessed through Aztec Adventure’s sailing centre opposite of Webbs of Wychbold, consists of saline pools. The underlying salt deposits provide an unusual inland habitat that attracts normally coastal birds like elegant black and white avocets. Further north you’ll find The Moors, a series of freshwater pools fringed with reeds that have attracted a number of rare bearded tits this winter.

To help people watch the unfurling soap opera of birdlife at this wildlife-watcher’s paradise there are a series of wooden hides. These much-loved structures have been in place for many years and birdwatchers old and new have spent hours enjoying the spectacle of Upton Warren’s wildlife. At this time of year resident great crested grebes are performing a dance that Strictly fans would admire – bobbing heads, synchronised diving and paddling to each other at great speed with beaks full of weeds. Cetti’s warblers will be blasting their short but loud song from the reeds. Lapwings will be tumbling through the air as they make their radio-tuning-like peewit calls.

As well as the many residents, Upton Warren attracts a host of birds that are migrating to their breeding grounds. From diminutive waders like dunlin to magnificent raptors like osprey, there’s no knowing what you might catch a glimpse of.

Numerous studies have shown that spending time watching nature is good for our health. Even when territorial arguments get heated between competing pairs of coot, it can be incredibly relaxing to take time out of our busy lives and watch the natural world going about its business. Whether you watch birds in your garden or head somewhere different, you can watch the drama unfold. We’re currently fundraising to help you and wildlife-lovers like you to continue enjoying Upton Warren’s wildlife. The lapwing hide attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year and is need of some TLC. If you can help us to elongate its life, please take a look at www.worcswildlifetrust. co.uk/appeals/upton-warren-lapwing-hide for more information about how you can help. Thank you.